Debra Ruth Dewees, of Lascassas, died at home on August 29, 2017, after an extended battle with cancer.

Debra was born and raised in Mentone, AL, and had lived for long periods in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. She was a 1989 graduate of Texas Christian University, with a BA in Interior Design. She spent many years as a commercial interior designer and project manager.

Debra was a long time member of Belle Aire Baptist Church, Murfreesboro. She taught for several years in the preschool ministry; was a leader in the Women's Ministry; was a small group leader of newly married young adults; and active in missions: locally at the Hope Center; in Belle Aire's church plants in New Brunswick , NJ, and Portland, ME; and internationally in Namur, Belgium.

Debra loved architecture and design, and designed the family farm home from a photo in a magazine.  She was an avid water skier. She spent many days during the summer at Center Hill Lake. She loved to travel. She loved the beach, and spent much time on beaches all over the country. She enjoyed beach combing and collected sea glass, sand dollars, sharks teeth and shells. But she was happiest being with her family. She loved being a mother and being "Weesie" to Adalee and Cathlyne.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Dewees of Lascassas; son and daughter in law, Drew and Kelly Jackson of Murfreesboro; daughter Carah Jackson of Murfreesboro; sons Hayden Dewees and Payton Dewees of Lascassas; granddaughters Adalee Jackson and Cathlyne Jackson of Murfreesboro; parents, Jim and Dallyne Jones of Mentone, AL; sister Sharon (Jim) Harris of Mentone, AL, sister Glenda Jones (Roy Smith) of Maylene, AL; sister Rita (Terral) Carr of Gadsden, AL; sister Susan (Alan)Manning of Valley Head, AL; brother Carl Jones of Fort Payne, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Roger Jackson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, September 3, 2017, at Belle Aire Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, with Rev. Kyle Dunn and Dr. Dean Sisk officiating.  A private family service will be held at Bankhead Cemetery, Mentone, AL at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Belle Aire Baptist Church Missions, The Bruce Gilley Foundation, or Portico, Murfreesboro.